Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, EVENING [KNELL], by JOHN FLETCHER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EVENING [KNELL], by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Shepherds all, and maidens fair
Last Line: Thus I end my evening knell.
Variant Title(s): Folding The Flocks;pastoral Evening Hymn;the Priest's Chant;the Priest's Evening Song;song Of The Priest Of Pan
Subject(s): Animals; Shepherds & Shepherdesses


SHEPHERDS all, and maidens fair,
Fold your flocks up; for the air
'Gins to thicken, and the sun
Already his great course hath run.
See the dew-drops, how they kiss
Every little flower that is;
Hanging on their velvet heads,
Like a string of crystal beads.
See the heavy clouds low falling
And bright Hesperus down calling
The dead night from underground;
At whose rising, mists unsound,
Damps and vapors, fly apace,
And hover o'er the smiling face
Of these pastures; where they come,
Striking dead both bud and bloom.
Therefore from such danger lock
Every one his loved flock;
And let your dogs lie loose without,
Lest the wolf come as a scout
From the mountain, and ere day,
Bear a lamb or kid away;
Or the crafty, thievish fox,
Break upon your simple flocks.
To secure yourself from these,
Be not too secure in ease;
So shall you good shepherds prove,
And deserve your master's love.
Now, good night! may sweetest slumbers
And soft silence fall in numbers
On your eyelids. So farewell:
Thus I end my evening knell.




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